MC Chorale takes on the Big Apple

April 5, 2013

Adam Ruble / The Courier - MC's Chorale poses for a photo after an impromptu performance in Times Square.

Monmouth College Chorale has been singing in more places than just Dahl Chapel. The students in chorale recently spent a weekend preparing for a concert in New York City’s distinguished Carnegie Hall. From March 21-25 the Chorale was able to practice, enjoy the city and then perform for alumni as well as other guests.

The second day of the trip consisted of practices and an evening concert for Monmouth College Alumni. President Ditzler accompanied a group of alumni to New York to see the chorale perform. Before and after the chorale performance, students were able to mingle with alumni. For many of the students this was one of the most exciting aspects of the trip.

“Getting to know some excellent people who call Monmouth their Alma Mater was such an interesting experience, to hear some of their stories about what Monmouth used to be like or what their time at Monmouth has helped them achieve was inspirational and a wonderful aspect of the trip” said Becca Riggs, a senior alto in Chorale.
Friday, March 22 was the first day the chorale met the rest of the choir they would sing with for the final performance. The group that sang in Carnegie Hall included members from Knox College, St. Ambrose Choir, the Galesburg Community Choir, the Wicker Park Singers and Monmouth College Chorale. This group of singers was accompanied by a skilled professional orchestra and the solos were covered by several professional singers from around the country. The group had only a few days to pull together the “Lord Nelson Mass” by Haydn. The main director for the practices and concert was Laura Lane, the director of the Knox College choir and the Nova Singers.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for the chorale, to rehearse and perform great music with an outstanding choir, to sing in the legendary Carnegie Hall, and to experience all the sights and culture that New York City has to offer,” Choral Director Tim Pahel said of the trip.

The trip, although centered on the performance, was an opportunity for many of the students to experience New York City for the first time.

“I don’t think many of the students realized that they would be staying in such an exciting part of Manhattan,so close to many of the things on their sightseeing lists,” Pahel said.

Some singers visited Little Italy and Chinatown to try new food and shop. Others visited Central Park or the Empire State Building and some even woke up early to view the “Today Show” or “Good Morning America” while they were being filmed.

Freshmen soprano Brittany Shumaker used her free time to see a Broadway play.

“Avenue Q was the funniest show I have ever seen. It will surely be one of my favorite memories from this unforgettable trip.”